Upon entering the kitchen, Professor Snape was immediately accosted by an anxious Molly Weasley.
"How is she, Severus?" she asked, wringing her hands.
"Physically, she's fine, Molly," he answered in clipped tones, heading toward the long table. He sat down stiffly and placed Ginny on the floor who sat back on her haunches and stared up at them with wide, yellow eyes.
"I feel so terrible…" Mrs. Weasley began as she set a bowl of soup and a piece of bread in front of him. "I can't believe we didn't notice right away…" she trailed off, her guilty mind berating her for forgetting her only daughter.
Leaving her to her thoughts, Professor Snape stood and ladled out another bowl of soup. He carried it back to his seat and set it on the floor before turning back to his own lunch. Ginny gratefully padded over and began lapping up her mother's homemade soup while listening to their conversation.
"Did they come to our house?" Ginny heard her mother query.
"Yes," the professor replied.
Molly gasped and put her hand to her heart. "But Ginny was gone by then."
Professor Snape laid down his spoon and looked her in the eye, "No."
A horrified sob escaped Mrs. Weasley and he continued quickly, "Lucius questioned her, but she revealed nothing."
"Oh, my poor baby!"
Ginny stopped eating her soup for a moment to observe her mother. She was flushed with anxiety and her eyes were glistening with unshed tears.
"How did you get her away from them?" she choked out.
"I did not," the professor replied, "she apparated."
Ginny wrinkled her nose. She was hoping he would keep that part a secret. Although, she had to admit to herself that her mother's reaction was worth it.
"Wha- how? She can apparate?"
Professor Snape nodded and picked up his spoon to continue on with his soup. "She's quite capable of taking care of herself," he said. Ginny whipped her head around to face him. Was that a compliment? Wonders never ceased.
Mrs. Weasley had her elbows on the table and her head in her hands, half-crying and muttering about what a horrible mother she was. Ginny took pity on her, having already forgiven her family in her heart, and brushed against her leg. At first, Mrs. Weasley did not notice the little black cat, but as Ginny continued rubbing against her leg and purring, she glanced down and smiled weakly.
"Hullo, there," she said, pulling her onto her lap. "Who are you?"
Ginny stared up at her with her bright eyes and purred louder. As her mother scratched her behind the ears, she turned to Professor Snape again.
"I don't remember ever seeing a cat around here," she stated. "Where did it come from?"
"She was in the study," the professor replied smoothly.
Mrs. Weasley was about to respond, but was cut short by the kitchen door swinging open as Remus Lupin entered.
"Remus!" Molly cried, hopping up to get him a bowl of soup and dumping Ginny in the process.
"Afternoon Molly, Severus," he replied, nodding to each.
"Lupin," Snape growled.
Tonks entered the kitchen a moment later, closely followed by Kingsley Shacklebolt and Professor McGonagall.
Ginny slipped under the table as more Order members began filing in and crouched by Snape's feet. Looking up at him, she saw his attention was on the people as they came in, so she took the opportunity to spring up on his lap, causing him to jump and scowl down at her. Before he could protest, she curled up and closed her eyes.
Ginny smiled inwardly as she felt Snape sigh in defeat. She had always wanted to listen in on Order business and this was her chance. She flicked her tail, relishing the thought of her brothers' jealous faces if they knew.
She peeped one eye open in surprise when Snape lightly rubbed her back from her ears to the base of her tail. She shuddered, that felt good. He continued to repeat the process, lightly caressing her, causing her to purr uncontrollably. When he suddenly stopped, Ginny opened her eyes and meowed in protest. Snape scowled at her as others nearby chuckled and held a chunk of bread in front of her nose. Animal instincts taking over, Ginny devoured it, licking his fingers clean with her rough tongue. She paused mid-lick, mortified, as she realized she was licking Professor Snape's fingers. She abruptly stopped and looked away.
The meeting was just starting as Snape resumed stroking her. She relaxed and her eyes began to droop shut. Just as she was on the verge of falling asleep she realized what he had done and thought, "Damn that Snape, putting sleeping potion in the bread!"
A/N: Well, I'm not as happy with this chapter, but whatever. I'm really flattered y'all seem to like the last one okay. I have no idea where the story is going yet...I'm just winging it! Thanks for the encouragement. :-)
